I am currently setting up my first "home theater" with an Epson 3500 projector. I have pretty much everything figured out I think except for the HDMI cable. This is the first time I've needed a cable longer than 6 feet and wanted know what I should be looking for in a 40 foot cable. I will be running all my devices (PS3, Wii U, HDPVR etc) through a Denon receiver and then the HDMI to the projecor. I do not know if I will be able to run the cable through the walls yet but that may be an option.
I have ordered from monoprice before, is the Redmere series what I should be looking at?
... This is the first time I've needed a cable longer than 6 feet and wanted know what I should be looking for in a 40 foot cable. ... I have ordered from monoprice before, is the Redmere series what I should be looking at?
Be careful if you use the Monoprice cables. I ran 2 50 foot through the walls and one cable failed after a month. I used the Redmere cables. Yes and test; the signal only goes one way!
I would strongly suggest using a conduit as well. Redmere cables can fail overtime like any other electronic device because of the chipset in the sink end (tv side) so it's something to keep in mind. So much easier to pull a cable through a conduit (with a pull-string installed for good measure) than fishing through a wall/ceiling installation should you need to do so.
40' is pretty long, even for Redmere so you might want to consider solid core CAT-6 and some sort of active termination like HDBT. A more expensive alternative but solid core CAT-6 will be much more versatile in the long run than an HDMI cable. Specs and requirements will change and a solid core CAT-6 will probably be more useful than the current HDMI cables, active or passive.
I would strongly suggest using a conduit as well. Redmere cables can fail overtime like any other electronic device because of the chipset in the sink end (tv side) so it's something to keep in mind. So much easier to pull a cable through a conduit (with a pull-string installed for good measure) than fishing through a wall/ceiling installation should you need to do so.
40' is pretty long, even for Redmere so you might want to consider solid core CAT-6 and some sort of active termination like HDBT. A more expensive alternative but solid core CAT-6 will be much more versatile in the long run than an HDMI cable. Specs and requirements will change and a solid core CAT-6 will probably be more useful than the current HDMI cables, active or passive.
Otto,
Would something like this be the way you'd run solkd core Cat6? If I went that route, I'd prefer to avoid doing my own terminations. Other suggestions?
I'm in the same boat with the need for 35-40 feet of HDMI run.
I've looked at the Monoprice Redmere cables. I've read great things about these and not so great things about reliability.
Another (more expensive) option I've been looking at is the Blue Jeans Cable BJC Belden Series 1, which claims to be able to run longer distances, but looks like a stiff bugger for installation.
That is one way. Extenders do work but I would lay out the cable at its final length first, connect it, and see if that works before installing it. Using a conduit you could install the Redmere cable along with the CAT-6 (with a service loop) and see how that works. If the Redmere works, and is stable you're ok. If it doesn't work at least you've got the CAT-6 cable in place and you can terminate it as you see fit. Termination on a solid core CAT-6 is easy compared to a CAT-6 ethernet cable.
"Wireless HDMI " is certainly an option but it is not without its issues and the capabilities of matching a cabled connection (via high speed HDMI or CAT-6) is severely limited.
Situation: I'm about to replace an old projector and will pull the existing HDMI cable out (standard cable, either 35 or 40 feet, I forget) and replace it with another HDMI cable. I'm a bit of a laggard with upgrading (my PJ is an old 720p Marantz), so I don't desire anything more than solid 1080p video performance with my upcoming PJ upgrade for several years to come - that alone will be a big performance leap. I'll be a late arrival to the 4k party. Pulling the HDMI cable that's there now wasn't very tough (drop ceiling), so I'll just need to go do it again at some point in the future after this install vs. try to be "future ready" now.
Given that, keeping it simple with a single HDMI run sounds easiest. I'm on the fence, however, as to what HDMI technology to run with. Redmere sounds perfect, but I worry about reliability and serviceable life of the chip set since the cable will be in there a while. On the other side of the coin is a heavier gage (24 or 28 AWG) passive cable, which presents some installation challenges that Redmere wouldn't (cable flexibility). Because its a newer technology, not sure there's much info. out there on reliability of Redmere over time. Redmere cables are not terribly expensive, so it might be smart to buy and install 2 Redmere cables so there's a backup in case of failure. Or...do I just go old school with a passive high speed in a heavier gage and call it a day? Thoughts?
This is a place to go with what is commonly referred to as an "overpriced" manufacturer. As professionals we use premium brands not because they cost more but because the are much more reliable. Most of the evidence is anecdotal for the cheap HDMI working just as well. If you are going to do a long run that is painful to change then use a Perfect Path, Straightwires etc. They will actually work reliably. I would suggest you NEVER use a Cat 5 or wireless solution unless there is no other alternative. HDMI is complicated enough without making it more difficult.
Thanks for the perspective. I am certainly willing to pay a premium for a cable I KNOW will work as it should and work reliably. Looking at the Perfect Path HD700 35' and it looks like it would do the trick (I need to go re-measure for length, however). I may flip brands if I need more than 35 feet, as the 50' Perfect Path is more than I need by at least 10 feet.
I have been using the same 35 foot Monoprice HDMI cable for the last 5 or 6 years now with my 1080p front projector. It has worked without issue. So, you could go that route if you want to. The redmere does look interesting however and since it does not cost that much, it might be worth a try. By the time it might fail, there will probably be a new cable technology out there anyways that we will all be wondering about. I say go for it.
True 4:4:4 4K is still a ways off. Any certified passive high speed HDMI cable will meet current HDMI 1.4/2.0a specs. Certification is the "guarantee" that all of the specs have been tested and verified as being compliant for the length of cable tested. You can't do any better than that. Some of the new cables coming out have been tested at 18Gbps, which is the maximum. However, I haven't been able to find any devices with HDMI 2.0 that can output at that bandwidth, yet. The OP just needs to run a Redmere cable for his length in a conduit with a solid core CAT-6 in place for future cabling needs.
And there is no need to pay a premium price for a passive high speed hdmi cable from a reputable mfr. Period.
+1 to conduit. And to monoprice or BJC cables. (I have a 50' BJC DVI-to-DVI cable, w/ DVI-to-HDMI adapters on each end, connecting my AVR to my PJ through a conduit.)
Wow. A $100 for a 35' cable is ridiculous. $44 is not bad but you have to wonder why it is almost 1/2 price. The listed specs aren't any different than what is listed for passive high speed HDMI. It's interesting that the specs say certified high speed hdmi when the longest length that can be certified is 25'. I'd ask for the cert that indicates that the length of cable you purchased has been tested and certified at that length, and by whom. Marketing is very good when it comes to stating specs. HDMI could be certified but are they talking about the actual cable length that you purchased? CL2 is nice for fire safety but you'd be best to install that cable in a conduit because you will be changing it out someday.
"Ideal for current systems, as you wait on the debut of Ethernet Channel gear." Nice sales pitch but HDMI with ethernet has been around since the HDMI 1.4 spec and still hasn't been adopted by device mfrs. Performance is the same with or without ethernet. A good cable but not worth the price.
As I duck the flying poo, I thought it might be constructive to share that the 35' Perfect Path HD700 is not a passive cable (I thought it was). I happened to find something online about the inclusion of what Perfect Path calls the "Perfect Link" chip set. Turns out, that's their name for Redmere technology and the cable (at longer lengths) is in fact active:
PerfectLink Chipset - Two-way active imbedded high-performance equalizer (amplifier)-for lengths at and beyond 16 feet. Internally powered that does not require external power supply.
Why Perfect Path is not more clear about that on their own web site is beyond me, but the email below confirmed it. FWIW.
From: B&A Distributing To: PaulG Sent: July 30, 2015 at 8:34 AM Subject: RE: HD700 Hi Paul, Yes, the HD-700-35 is a High-Speed Cable that will pass 10.2 Gbps – that means it will work with 1080p and 4K. It uses Redmere Active Chip technology and is a directional cable and it matters. The cable is clearly marked with DISPLAY -> on it.
Ok. So it uses Redmere technology. That could explain the higher than expected price. I would compare that with a Monoprice cable that uses the Redmere chipset. 10.2Gbps is standard passive high speed HDMI. The addition of the Redmere chipset just allows the cable to run at lengths longer than 25' and still maintain HDMI 1.4/2.0 protocols. In other words, it is no better than other cables from reputable mfrs that use Redmere technology.
Well, that's what I get for buying a used cable from Amazon. Cable arrived and there was copper visible between the plug and the sheathing on the "source" end. Verified with the manufacturer that this is not normal and the cable is indeed damaged. I have arranged to return the compromised cable to Amazon.
Would love a suggestion or two for a replacement that is 35 or 40 feet long. I am likely to get on the Monoprice Redmere wagon instead. Suggestions?
Well, that's what I get for buying a used cable from Amazon. Cable arrived and there was copper visible between the plug and the sheathing on the "source" end. Verified with the manufacturer that this is not normal and the cable is indeed damaged. I have arranged to return the compromised cable to Amazon.
Would love a suggestion or two for a replacement that is 35 or 40 feet long. I am likely to get on the Monoprice Redmere wagon instead. Suggestions?
As mentioned earlier you should take a look at BJC (Bluejeans Cable - an AVS sponsor). If you can't afford their best Belden Bonded HDMI cable there is always their Chinese made Tartar brand. They stand behind all of their cables - satisfaction guaranteed.
I've been using one of their 45 foot HDMI cables for the past 10+ years without issue.
I've been using a 50' monoprice redmere cable for a few years now with no issues. I ran it through my walls and ceiling without conduit (finished walls. sigh) so I hope it lasts a while longer.
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